SEIZED. An anti-smuggling operative from the Bureau of Customs inspects PHP4.72 million worth of various illegally imported agricultural products in Malabon City in this undated photo. Senate President Chiz Escudero on Tuesday (Sept. 24, 2024) said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would sign on Sept. 26 a new anti-smuggling law that will provide better income for local farmers and fisherfolk. (Photo courtesy of BOC)
MANILA – A new anti-smuggling-law set to be signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sept. 26 will make food more affordable and accessible to many Filipinos and provide better income for local farmers and fisherfolk, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said Tuesday.
Escudero said the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, a priority measure of the Marcos administration, will give more teeth to government efforts to run after smugglers whose illegal activities are hurting local farmers and fisherfolk, as well as consumers.
"Isang malaking hakbang patungo sa pagpapatupad ng layunin ng pamahalaan na makapag-hatid ng murang pagkain sa bawat tahanan ang pagpasa ng Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act (The passage of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act is a major step towards achieving the government's goal of bringing affordable food to every home)," Escudero said in a news release.
"Smugglers, hoarders, and profiteers have long served as a monkey wrench to our efforts toward attaining food security. With this law, we are optimistic that more Filipinos will now have greater access to affordable and nutritious food."
Under the new law, agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartel, and financing these crimes are classified as acts of economic sabotage and thus carry a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of three times the value of agricultural and fishery products involved in the crime.
For acts that aid in the commission of agricultural economic sabotage, such as the transport and storage of smuggled goods, the penalty imposed will be 20 years to 30 years jail term and a fine of twice the value of the agricultural and fishery products involved in the crime.
"Farmers, fisherfolk, livestock and poultry raisers, and legitimate traders have long been suffering from the operations of smugglers and other individuals and groups engaged in the manipulation of the market,” Escudero said.
He said the legislative measure would send a strong message that the government will use all its resources to hold accountable individuals and groups who engage in smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and other uncompetitive and exploitative practices in the agriculture sector.
By cracking down on smugglers, Escudero said, the public would be protected from the influx and proliferation of sub-standard or even goods that are not fit for human consumption.
He said running after smugglers would also mean plugging leakages in the government’s revenue stream.
"The law will also result in improved collections by our revenue collecting agencies, which will translate to the delivery of more services to our people,” he said.
An Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council will be created to oversee the implementation of the law. (PNA)
